/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape will be inviting the National Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele, the Provincial Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight, Mr Reagen Allen and Member of the Mayoral Committee on Safety and Security in the City of Cape Town, Mr JP Smith to the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, to present on their efforts and progress made thus far in tackling construction extortion in the province.

This Committee meeting is set to take place on the 24th of November 2023.

The National Minister of Police launched the Western Cape Provincial Extortion Task Team to tackle construction extortion. Shockingly, a few days ago, a massive extortion hit happened right on the doorstep of this Task team, with Police nowhere to be seen, and no arrests being made in the recent past. Gun-wielding men entered the Pelican Park housing project with automatic rifles, firing multiple shots at construction workers who were then seen running away, fearing for their lives.

Previously, the South African Police Provincial Commissioner made a presentation to the Standing Committee on ongoing extortion cases. However, when engaging with the various role players, no promises were made to upscale efforts in tackling extortion.

Countless other housing opportunities are also currently being held up due to construction extortionists and politically motivated land invasions.

More needs to be done to tackle these criminals as extortion in the Province has reached a critical point.

MPP Matlhodi Maseko said: “While the responsibility for policing lies at the national level, it is glaringly apparent that the National government consistently falls short in delivering an effective response to combat extortionists in our country.

The DA in the Western Cape believes that the best way to combat extortion is through an intelligence-led approach and this must be done with urgency as extortion is turning into a national crisis.

For this reason, it is imperative that Bheki Cele, Reagen Allen, and JP Smith appear before the Committee without delay, so that they can engage in a robust discussion, to chart a way forward in decisively tackling the extortionists that are blatantly obstructing housing delivery in the province.

The people of the Western Cape deserve nothing less.”

Issued by Matlhodi Maseko MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Infrastructure